Over 650 excited Boxing Day bathers have splashed out in the annual festive swim at Tenby, which attracted one of the largest crowds seen in the event’s 47-year history.

The charity dip saw huge crowds of spectators thronging the North Beach and lining every vantage point to watch the silly spectacle that has become a top festive highlight in Wales.

This year’s fancy dress theme of ‘Comic Characters’ welcomed the Bash Street Kids, the Flintstones, Smurfs, King Kong and superheroes galore, with a guest appearance by none other than Donald Trump.

Calm weather conditions and a high tide ensured that the sea was as inviting as it could be in the winter, and the Tenby lifeboat was able to moor close to the shore to watch over the hordes of crazy bathers.

The swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, and this year has nominated the Harriet Davis Trust - which has holiday houses for disabled children and their families in the Tenby area - and Pembrokeshire foodbank charity PATCH as its charities.

The fundraising for these two causes has been given a great start with the bucket collection which brought in a record figure of £2,352.

Said swim chairman Chris Osborne: “The Tenby Boxing Day Swim is a legendary event and it never fails to disappoint. This year was one of the biggest swims ever, and the combination of the good weather - with the rain conveniently waiting until after everyone had got wet anyway -  some extremely imaginative fancy dress and the relatively small beach added to the festive bonhomie. It’s been another great morning.”

Festive music and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers set the scene on the North Beach, with the launch of the Tenby lifeboat, a Pembrokeshire Paddlers canoe race and the Daitanic raft race ramping up the action ahead of the swim.

Staged in memory of Dai Rees, the raft race saw a strong two-team challenge, with Dai’s dad Des and brother Adam being joined by Layla Price to claim victory.

Tenby’s Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, judged the fancy dress competition, and the winners of the children’s group were the Bash Street Kids from Tenby VC Church in Wales Primary School. Their prize was 10 climbing wall sessions at The Overhang in Tenby.

Adult group winners were the crazy crew from Skanda Vale, who entertained on the beach with drumbeats and dancing. Their prize was 10 passes to Heatherton.

Jamie Subbiani’s Batman claimed him the adult prize of a meal for two at the Buccaneer, Tenby, while the child’s fancy dress winner, the Weird Fairy, earned a Clarice Toys voucher.

A countdown signalled the stampede of swimmers to the water, and on their return to dry land they were presented with commemorative medals by Clr. Lane and macebearers Denise Cousins and John Morgan.

There was also the welcome warmth of a beach bonfire, constructed by Roy Broxham and helpers, and hot soup served by Tenby Lions.

A total of 655 medals were given out on the beach, but it is thought there are a number of others who may not have claimed their badge of courage.

Any swimmer who has not yet picked up their medal can do so from Mrs. Ray Lowe at Croft House, The Croft.

Swimmers can collect for their own good causes, but are asked to notify TSSA via a Facebook message on the Tenby Boxing Day Swim page how much they have raised.

Sponsor money collected for TSSA charities should be handed in to the Fourcroft Hotel.

The swim is sponsored by FBM Holidays, Princes Gate Spring Water, Harbour Wealth Management and the Fourcroft Hotel.